In My Fathers House : (Play Review)

Sadness. Pain. Confusion. Lies. Murder. Suicide. Love. Death. All words that explain the epic play, In My Fathers House.

In every family there are trials and tribulations. We all have family secrets as well as family lies and this play written by Marc D. Lyons captures that essence.

He captures the intensity of brotherhood and unity all while exploiting the divisions of strength and age.

When all else fails some days all we have is the bond of family and there is no stronger bond than that of siblings.

There may be arguments and fights but together they cry and together they dry the tears away. family secrets can taint the core of the family apple and in this play that is bitterly displayed.

The stage : In My Fathers House

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The stage is set in the home of the father of 3 sons, Frank, Lewis, Kyle and Will. Unfortunately the brothers are not returning home with good reason. Their father is very ill with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in a place that they believe to be the point of no return. They return to the home of  their childhood because they are being faced with a huge and life changing decision. The father has asked for the sons to kill him so he can escape the prison of his illness. The most emotionally numb and resentful brother Lewis decides that he is who would live out the task while the youngest brother Kyle is totally against the idea.

To thicken the plot the brothers learn that the mother that they believed to have died during the birth of youngest brother Kyle actually did not. The truth is that she left the family because the father was abusive to her. Rather than telling the sons the ugly truth the father lied to save them the pain of abandonment as well as trying to maintain his own image. Prior to learning the information all of the sons were resentful of the father because he was abusive and neglectful during their childhood. After finding out the bitter truth they had a change of heart and a new found appreciation of him for at least returning home from work everyday and raising them. But though it seems like there will be the sunshine of actually being able to meet the estranged mother, that feeling is short lived as brother Will informs them that she has died.

After learning the disturbing news youngest brother Kyle retreats to a place of lost emotions. There is a scene where he totally breaks down and cries uncontrollably.  His whole life he lived with the heartache of believing that he was the reason that his mother was dead. To learn that she was alive the whole time and recently died is a deeper reality than he was prepared to comprehend.

The earth shattering turn for the worst is saved for the end of  the play. The youngest brother Kyle kills the father after the older brothers decide that they would not follow through with the act. After discovering the acts of Kyle the 3 older brothers break down and cry on the living-room floor. While they attempt to comfort each other from they tragic discovery Kyle walks out and you hear a single shot. Kyle kills himself.

This play is so beautifully written and owns so much passion. It was by far one of the most powerful and emotionally stimulating experiences I have had during a play. There were no flaws just 4 strong black men delivering a powerful and emotional story. They left their audience with a roller coaster of emotions.

The play had a two night run but I hope they decide to move forward and do all they can to deliver it to the masses.

Starring:

Keith Cyriaque – Kyle

Marc D. Lyons – Will (Instagram)

Ronald E Smith II AKA Y-Rests – Lewis (Instagram)

Mitchell Ugwuezi -Frank

In My Father’s House